Today I Learned: Eclipse Chasing, Ultra-Luxury Cruises Are Top Travel Trends in 2025

"It's all about the journey and not the destination." We've seen it on inspirational posters (and, sometimes, satirical memes); heard it on podcasts; and other cliche-ridden advertisements. But the line exists for a reason, and it is especially true post-pandemic when people are more appreciative of slow travel.

In 2025, luxury global travel operator Scott Dunn claims that slow travel will continue to be a buzzword in the world of luxury travel, along with other emerging trends.

"Luxury travel is fast evolving, driven by global issues like climate change and overtourism, which are pushing travelers to explore destinations differently. No longer constrained by traditional travel seasons, many are prioritizing the journey as much as the destination, as seen by the rise in ultra-luxury cruises and the uptick of premium cabin bookings. As we head into 2025, we remain committed to supporting travelers navigate the evolving landscape and helping them explore the world in newer and more meaningful ways," Mike Harlow, General Manager of Scott Dunn Asia, said.

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Destination Trends in 2024

• China - 400 percent increase in bookings year-on-year
• Thailand - 28 percent increase
• Indonesia - 42 percent increase
• Sri Lanka - 78 percent increase
• Maldives - 45 percent increase
• Tanzania - 40 percent increase
• Finland - 53 percent increase
• Norway - 25 percent increase
• Saint Lucia - 100 percent increase
• Peru - 77 percent increase

South Africa, while neither increased nor decreased in bookings, remains the number one destination on the African continent.

Egypt, Italy, Bhutan, Iceland, and Costa Rica, on the other hand, saw a drop in bookings year-on-year.

Boab tree in the Kimberley Region in Western Australia. Kimberley is one of the places to visit in 2025.

Key Trends in Scott Dunn's 2025 Luxury Travel Report

There's a boom in ultra-luxury cruises.

Scott Dunn observed that there are more travelers going for ultra-luxury cruises, specifically their Journeys by Land & Sea. This program includes a curated cruise journey with small-sized ships offering gourmet dining, hotel-like cabins, and personalized land tours.

The luxury operator also saw a significant growth in bookings across Premium, Business, and First-Class Cabins. There's also a reported four percent drop in economy bookings.

Eclipse chasing is the new bucket list experience.

Bucket lists are also going beyond destinations as luxury travelers seek once-in-a-lifetime experiences. There's also a growing interest in celestial spectacles, including eclipses in picturesque locations.

Travelers are heading abroad all year round.

There was once a time when having a peak season was the norm in traveling. But this also meant overcrowding and higher prices. Global warming is also affecting our seasons. Given these factors, people just travel all year round. For example, cooler regions often associated with winter travel are also becoming a destination in the summer.

All-inclusive trips are rising in popularity.

Travelers are trying to get the most out of their luxurious vacations by booking all-inclusive trips, which saw a 20 percent increase. Aside from cruise journeys, examples of these packages include going to safari camps and lush wellness retreats.

Sunset over the Temo River in Sardinia

Places to Visit in 2025

• Northern Kenya
• Islands of East Africa, including Zanzibar and Madagascar
• Yunnan, China
• Greenland's High Arctic (for the Total Solar Eclipse)
• Sardinia, Italy
• Lanzarote, Canary Islands
• Kimberley and Northern Territories in Australia
• Baja California Sur Peninsula, Mexico